Posted on December 24, 2020
This post could very easily be called ‘Racing past Christmas’ as I am certain many of us will be glad for it to come and then go, along with the rest of 2020!
However, I am an optimist and try, always, to find the good side of adversity where I can. It isn’t always easy, but looking for the good in bad times, is an exercise I recommend, whenever things are sad, tough or difficult – or all three at once, as this year has been for so many.
If there has been one positive for me through this year, it has been Friendship. I have been supported by (and I hope, I have supported in return) wonderful friends and family through this difficult year. I would have gone under without them, and thank all of them for kindness, understanding and encouragement in this (and all) years.
The image I have chosen to mark this Christmas came about because of a friendship. The friend is another artist, Derek Brittan, who lives and works nearby. Derek, like many of us has had serious and ongoing challenges to face this year, but nonetheless, his enquiring and creative mind still turns to new ideas and making art.
Derek is known for his colourful abstracts, which he makes in various media, from acrylic to plaster, rope, metals – even dishcloths! All materials can become art in his hands.
In normal times, we meet regularly at his home and studio to drink coffee and discuss whatever we’re presently working on, swap ideas and advice – all the things friends do. This year, of course, has been different, but we keep in touch on the phone and encourage each other where we can.
In one conversation, Derek asked me if I had planned a Christmas card? I hadn’t…Derek had an idea… ‘I have an image’, he said, ‘and I can see your cyclists riding through it’. With the help of his son Nick, and his skills as a graphic designer, we combined two images digitally, so my cyclists were riding through his landscape and ‘Racing to Christmas’ was made.
Amongst so much, our friends bring new thoughts, challenge us to try something we wouldn’t have thought of, cry with us when we weep and laugh with us when we laugh. Without them, we would be incomplete.
This year, Christmas will be different for everyone, and many of us will not be with our family and our friends as usual but nothing can diminish the bonds between us – and I feel, that adversity makes these bonds even stronger. People rise to challenges and pull together to get each other through.
We have seen so much evidence of this throughout 2020, all the years before and we know, yet to come.
Friendship is more infectious than any disease and its ‘R’ number very, very much higher than 1!
Merry Christmas and see you on the other side!
See more of Derek Brittan’s art here… Derek Brittan Art
Category: events, life, Uncategorized Tagged: christmas, friends, friendship
Posted on December 24, 2019
Category: Uncategorized Tagged: christmas
Posted on December 21, 2018
Hope you have twelve days packed with happiness, peace and lots of fun and games…like this lot!
Click on the image a few times to enlarge it and you’ll see everyone! xx
Category: Uncategorized Tagged: christmas, fun, happiness, twelve days
Posted on December 24, 2014
Category: Uncategorized Tagged: christmas, cycling, santa
Posted on January 4, 2014
The weather over Christmas and the New Year in the UK has shown the devastating power of the sea. The sea fascinates and attracts like mad. We can’t help ourselves, but the reality of living and working with it is another matter. Here are some drawings:
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Category: life, weather, wildlife Tagged: 2014, art, christmas, devastating power, drawing fast, illustration, ink, new year, power, sea, storm, watercolour, waves
Posted on January 1, 2014
Here’s hoping you had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to 2014, wishing you peace and joy! Here are some drawings:
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Category: life Tagged: 2014, art, christmas, drawing fast, illustration, ink, new year, watercolour
All pictures shown are original drawings or paintings.
Prices and sizes for pen and ink/watercolour drawings start from £125 for 4″ x 4″ mounted original, 8 x 8 and panoramas from £195 – Framed works start from £200. Larger drawings and paintings quoted individually.
To enquire about or buy an artwork, email maxine@maxinedodd.com for full details or click the heart! ❤️
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